don't you think these would make great prints?

well I need to practice a little more. This image is too small....

but this one I'm really happy with.... :)

and then I came across this image, a self portrait taken by my uber talented daughter Santana Verdugo who has a beautiful photographic website here. I'm so proud of her and think that these words are a perfect match for her gorgeous pic!

Well thats all for now...better get back to the tasks I'm actually supposed to be doing!

as time slips away on this wonderful adventure

and one amazing experience leads into the next

my days are so filled with new friends, new places and experiences

that I dont know that i'll ever find the time to describe this trip the way i would like.

Perhaps when I get home to Australia...we'll see :) I have been working on this post for the past week and have realised that I may have to break it down so here is part one :)

For
now, sitting here in my hotel room in Orlando where Sienna has joined me for a weekend of fun

I will attempt to give you a whirlwind glimpse into the happenings of the past few weeks.

I arrived back in California from the East Coast mid October and spent three blissful days in Baja California Mexico with my awesome man, celebrating 25 years of marriage. In all we spent 6 days together before I had to fly out to Texas for my next Paint Mojo retreat....after 3 1/2 months apart 6 days was far too short..........

we visited the family ranch in Cantamar where Marco spent some of his early years..

riding horses into the hills

many things unchanged...

a beautiful time together but far too short....

and then it was time for me to move on....

Next stop Lotus Ranch, Wimberley Texas where my sweet friend Selah Gay spent months preparing the most heartful Paint Mojo retreat. I was truly awed and overwhelmed by the level of care and preparation and beautiful intent lavished upon this gathering by both Selah and her husband Dan who cooked for twenty women for three days with a smile on his face the whole time! We shared creative time, fun and games and hot tub secrets. Plus some quiet time for reflection and sharing down by the lotus pond. A big thanks to Michael for such a wonderful venue!

Selah created a magical space for us to paint!

and we played

and played....

after Wimberley I moved on to Canyon Lake and spent two days with my lovely friend Em who I met WAY back in the days of My Space. Em came to Australia and spent a week with our family some years back, during which time we dragged her to a community protest against overdevelopment in our small town and enlisted her help in creating artworks with local aboriginal children.....this time it was Em's turn to show me around her local turf!

After a wonderful tour of San Antonio and surrounds Emily whisked me off to Austin where I spent the day with the uber talented and passionate Jessica Brogan. By this time I was feeling decidedly under the weather with allergies and a bad cough but I sooooo appreciate hanging out with Jess and discussing a myriad of possibilities..this girl is going far and in beautiful directions and regardless of my not feeling 100% I totally enjoyed Austin! A very funky and cool city indeed!

Later this week I will share pics from my adventures in Austin and beyond..for now I am lazing back in my hotel room with Sienna after two very fun days exploring Universal studios...

be back very soon to fill you in on the rest of the fun but for now..its time for zzzzzzzzzz

Thank you so much everyone for all of your wonderful comments and support over these past few weeks and indeed throughout 2015! I a...

When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy. ~Rumi

Followers

sweet words from students :)

Dear Tracy,

I have had such an amazing response to your workshop. It has gone far beyond the painting of a picture. You have an incredible , supportive and intuitive energy that is contagious. Teaching others about freeing yourself up, from the ever present ‘critical mind’, is life changing. I am so inspired by your wonderful workshop. I have been applying simple messages from the day into my everyday life, and the roller coaster of life is so much richer and exciting with the knowledge of letting go and trusting in the process. This wonderful painting (that I have hung above my computer) reminds me every day that life always has a way of working out for the better if we just let go.....

Your way of teaching is subtle, yet powerful, and you guide others to discover for themselves important insights. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of this very special day

~Vanessa

Thanks again Tracy for such a wonderful, colourful, transformative, powerful, peaceful weekend.....I really see how much I get caught in detail and perfection and beautifying and how this has it's value but as you pointed out to me, if I'm feeling like I'm tensing and tightening up with this then move the energy, shift and also be bold to make big changes if things aren't working! That's a big one. But this is life, nothing ever stays completely the same does it!SO yes thanks SO very much for your colourful, loving, gentle yet powerful and generous sharing on the weekend. Looking forward to journeying more with you creatively and in friendship.~Katie